ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has appreciated the
role of the Asian Development Bank in undertaking the projects in
various sectors in Pakistan and expected that this partnership would
continue, so critical for improving the quality of life of the people
of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said this when Vice President
Mr. Xiaoyu Zhao and Director General ADB Mr. Juan Marinda called on him
here morning at the PM House.
The Prime Minister said that the
priority areas of Pakistan were energy, water, roads and the overall
development of infra-structure, which was an engine of growth in any
economy.
The Prime Minister said that his government had
constituted a High Powered Committee led by the Finance Minister to
seek out the solution of the unscheduled load shedding in the country.
The
Prime Minister underlined the government’s commitment to maintain
financial discipline, reduce fiscal deficit, mobilize domestic
resources and pursue high growth strategy.
The Prime Minister
called upon the Asian Development Bank to finance the mega project of
Basha Dam, construction of which would solve the country’s chronic
energy crisis and also provide sufficient water to the agriculture
sector that holds key to food security of the country.
The
Prime Minister also emphasized ADB’s support for construction of
Motorway from Karachi to Fasilabad. The connectivity of Gowader with
Ratodaro will link Karachi, Gowader and Fasilabad, which is the hub of
textile industry of Pakistan.
On this occasion, the Vice
President of the Asian Development Bank said that he had a very useful
meeting with Government officials and addressed many issues. He assured
the Prime Minister that ADP was committed to work with the government
of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister sought ADB’s support for
construction of roads through Central Asia Regional Cooperation (CAREC)
Funds for integrating Pakistan with Central Asia. It may be mentioned
here that Pakistan has become 10th member of this Organization.
The
connectivity as planned under its umbrella will revolutionise trade
among the countries by providing trade corridor including enhancement
of people-to-people contact among the member countries.
In the
meeting Finance Minister, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Water
and Power, Syed Nveed Qamar and senior officials of the relevant
ministries were also present in the meeting. Online
